The former player: 'I really wanted to continue playing'
Warning: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union led his professional journey to an early end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.
"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.
"That was difficult - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a extended period you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has placed significant focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."
All Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on building welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.
"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.
"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.
His charitable organization works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the field with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.
"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.
"I take the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this flag and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to previous team Northampton in late 2022
